Replacing 996 rear window seal

The edge of the window seal is peeling back on both bottom corners of my rear window. I assume it's just the newness is wearing off after 23 years and it's shrinking as it doesn't look like it can be glued back down as it doesn't meet the corners any more. There are mixed messages via google of whether the seal is a window out job or whether the visible seal is just an outer sealing strip that can be removed and replaced with the window in situ. Has anyone on here replaced this themselves?

mine is the same - interested to see the responses!

Mine has done something similar, but at the top on one side. I had success with a bit of rubbery black adhesive (seems similar to that used to stick membranes to door inners) which a bodyshop applied, on the basis it would not damage the paint and could be easily removed in future. If you heat the seal and apply some rubber conditioner it might give you enough flex to get it back in place.

The previous owner had a go at sticking it down and it curled back up again fairly quickly, even with a bit of heat and teasing I think it's probably beyond that now. Ideally I'd prefer to replace the seal so it's fresh and not have to think about it again for another 23 years...

I've replaced this for the front and rear windows and made a post about it somewhere. In short, that is the outer seal which just peels right off; there is no adhesive keeping it in place. There is an inner seal under the glass windows which connects to this outer seal. To safely remove, wait until a hot sunny day and slowly peel it out. I bought the new seals from Design911. To fit in the new seals, use silicon spray to lubricate the seal and press fit it back in taking care to ensure it does not stretch and also that it seats in properly. It's easier to show than to describe and also it takes some time to figure out the first time but simple enough once you have figured it out.

Forgot to add the most important thing! The top seal connects to the bottom seal via a channel which hooks the two together. Hence why it's important to remove on a hot day when it's soft (because you don't want the bottom seal to tear), and when pressing it in, you need the seals to hook back together. The only part that does not hook is the bottom of the rear seal which is a press fit but you need to really squeeze it in. In my opinion l, I would not glue the old seal down because it might over time ruin the bottom seal and I would not leave it as is because the top seal is sacrificial over time, it protects the inner seal. Don't try it without silicon lubricant because it's too hard (tried it) and don't use oil based lubricants because that eats rubber.

Thanks Justy, that's really helpful. It explains what I'm looking at as well, I think the PO's attempt to fix it has led to the top seal tearing as you describe so I may need to tentatively go in and try to undo the previous 'fix'. At least now I know what I'm dealing with :thumbs:

I did this just the other week as mine was lifting in both bottom corners. New seal from Leeds opc which was cheaper than design911 and a ten minute job. Remove the old seal, clean the channel out with a cotton bud and microfibre and fit the new one. Start in a bottom corner and work your way round. I used a plastic wedge (trim remover) just to make sure it was all press in correctly. East job and better than a bodge with silicone which if it's like trade silicone will react with automotive paint and cause plenty of problems

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Hi Justy, I need to do both on mine.... Can you post the part numbers for both as the diagrams on D911 aren't completely clear as to which are the outer seals. Tia

I replaced the seal on the back window a couple of days ago - hot afternoon. Old seal came out easily, new one went in easily as well, though at one point I wondered if it was a too long but all well after a bit of tweaking. I used washing up liquid as the lubricant. Cost was £68 from Porsche Centre South London with a 7% discount for club memnbership, old age, not sure which, part number is P996654552104 described as "sealing frame back". Looks like new now.

Thanks for this will get on it over the next few days hopefully.

Just ordered my seal from Porsche Swindon with my 10% discount came in at £68. I will let you k ow how easy it is to fit

Started to remove the old seal yesterday and it is tearing, I've stopped after a few inches to re assess, so presume I will have to dig old rubber out from the Chanel somehow, any advice would be useful in advance. Thanks

I fitted one of these a few days ago .. the top and sides just pulled out .. the center bottom section was bonded to the windscreen sealant .. i only had a few inches of this so i just dug out and scrapped off the excess sealant ready for the new one . When fitting .. i used a spray grease .. on the glass and the edges .. this will help not only with fitment but making sure it doesn't make creaking noises for many years .. grease everywhere !!! .. make sure what you use is not damaging to bodywork or rubbers I started on the n/s/r bottom corner to get both the bottom and sides lined up . I was replacing my seal for noises btw . FYI . when fitting .. you will end up with too much seal .. keep pushing it back to say the n/s until you can finally get it short enough to all fit in place .. i had about an inch of looped seal at one point so had to pull out what i had fitted and push to the n/s until it was short enough to all fit in place .